Yesterday news broke that Google and Ford will work together to build self-driving cars toward the purpose of creating a new ride-sharing business. Neither company has confirmed or denied the report, but a formal announcement outlining details of the collaboration is expected at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in early January. Until we find out more, here’s some analysis based on what we know so far.
This shouldn’t be that surprising 
It’s certainly a massive development and could have huge implications, but Google has repeatedly said that it would rather partner with established manufacturers than build its own cars. Making cars is extremely complicated; working with a traditional carmaker, especially one based in the U.S. with facilities, supply chains, and partnerships already in place, will relieve Google of many potential headaches and could save the company billions of dollars in overhead costs. “A lot of people out there do a really good job making cars,” Chris Urmson, Google’s director of self-driving car research, once told us. “They’ve been doing it for 100 and something years.  They’re very good at it. They’ve got a lot of experience. Yeah, it’s not obvious to me that Google making cars is the right answer.”
This approach?offloading the hardware responsibilities and licensing out its software?is also similar to how Google handles its phone and tablet...